Gospel singer Johnny Bapapa Otai is quite popular with Makerere University students. He often sings at their weekly spiritual gathering, Prime Time.

So when it was revealed he would introduce his mother, Hannah Akol, 69, to the fellowship, the students were excited at the prospect of getting to know their idol’s mother.
That the grey-haired, if strong Akol, with a dark skin complexion and grandmotherly stature, would do to them what Otai always does was the least the students expected.

“Track number two,” murmured Akol to the DJ through the microphone, looking straight at the audience. “The song I am going to present has never been sung anywhere, so you are the first people to hear it,” she declared to the amusement of students, who seemed to doubt she could sing.

This was the first time she was going public with her yet to be launched eight-song album, Return To The Lord. Her performance was greeted with cheers, ululation and a standing ovation. The students, who usually remain seated, were on their feet. Some joined the podium to compliment her. Only her voice could be heard as she was completely surrounded by the excited students.

“I am on a mission to popularise my music in such gatherings and churches before formally launching my album in August,” revealed Akol in an interview later. That is why she is now in Kampala, having left her Pallisa home.

In Kampala, the mother of 10 stays in Kasubi, home of her sixth-born, pastor George Okudi, the celebrated Kora Award winner.

George, as the mum fondly calls him, rose to fame in 2003 when he won the Kora Awards for Best Male Artiste in East Africa and Africa. Best known for his song Wipolo, he is also a Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Award winner.

Akol traces her fledging music career to her school days at Ngora Primary School and Ngora High School in Soroti district in the late 1940s where she led the choir, a trend that continued at the various churches she has joined.

“I used to entertain fellow students by singing to them,” she recalls. She would perform at wedding and funeral ceremonies as well. Because she was so good at it, every singing group wanted to have her in its ranks.

“Groups would rival for me because they knew my side would always win,” she boasts with a smile.
Her marriage to Stuckas Opwata in 1957 lasted until 1987 when he died. She never re-married.

“Opwata was the only man meant for me,” she says.
Despite the limited time for music during her marriage, Akol would gather and teach her offspring how to sing.

“George [Okudi] was more active and interested,” she reveals.
Speaking in a telephone interview from Washington DC where he has been living since last year, Okudi confirmed that he owes his flourishing music career to his mother.

“Her compulsory music lessons introduced me to music,” he says.
His brother Otai, who has produced two albums; Only Jesus Can Save (1997) and Traditional Gospel Music (2000), also attributes his success to his mother’s efforts. “They were a training ground that instilled in us love for melody.”

The achievements of her two sons in the world of music couldn’t have been more satisfying for Akol. “It made me proud because they applied what I taught them,” says Akol, who travelled from Pallisa to Kampala to receive Okudi after he won the Kora Award in South Africa.

But their success was also her inspiration. “Their music and rise to fame also challenged and inspired me into composing in 2001,” says the singer, whose plans to record had been thwarted by the prohibitive costs. She now enjoys free recording facilities at Okudi Dynasty Studio.

Akol says Return to the Lord, the title of her album, is a call on people to renew their commitment to the creator. It has four songs in English, three in Ateso and one in Luganda.

Akol’s accent did not deter her from singing in Luganda. She learnt the language when her husband was working in the central region.

Akol’s songs revolve around God, sin and difficulties in life. Her songs also relate to Biblical teachings, culture and tradition.

Interestingly, Akol says she is not seeking monetary gain but only wants to preach and impact on people’s lives.
“I can dig for money but not sing,” she says.
Akol reveals that she gets many of the ideas for her songs through dreams.

“Many rhythms and ideas come my way in dreams.” To make sure she doesn’t forget the tunes she has dreamt up, “I wake up and write it [down] for modification and reconstruction later.”
Though she has only recently started performing publicly, Akol is already starting to reap the benefits.

“Now I am well known. Few people knew me before. But now even you media people look for me,” she boasts. “Many people commend and encourage me, saying I inspire them,” she adds.

One such person is her music producer, Andrew Kaweesi.
“Her music is a challenge to us the youth. If an old lady can sing, what about us?” says Kaweesi who is excited about the rap in some of her songs.

“If you listen to her music without seeing her, you may think it’s a lass singing,” he marvels. Explaining the rap, Akol says: “I realised rap appeals to many, mostly the youth, so I included it. You see with music, you move with the times.”

Akol is proud of her music exploits. “Now I have a legacy to leave… when I die, people [will] say this was Akol, this was grandmother… I am really proud of it… ”

Ms. Betty Esaete Ikopit, Akol’s daughter, is not surprised at her mother’s vocation. “Music has been her way of life and she loves it,” she says fondly. Pastor Okudi agrees: “She is an ambitious lady when it comes to music.”

The pastor recalls when, in 1984, he and his siblings sang for former president Apollo Milton Obote when he visited Pallisa.
His mother not only prepared them for the event, but also used her influence as one of the pillars of Uganda Peoples Congress in eastern Uganda to get them the opportunity.

The singer couldn’t have ended the interview in a better way: “There is no age limit to success and serving God. I encourage people, mostly the youth, to serve God using their potential. Even the grown ups shouldn’t tire.”

Fact file

Born on August 2, 1937, Akol attended Ngora Primary School (1942-1949). She then joined Ngora High School (1950-53) but stopped in form three due to lack of school fees. She took a community development course in Tororo. She later taught at community adult education centres in Tororo and Pallisa.
mcmubangizi@yahoo.com